medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Proto(s) means first. Ergo, protomartyr = first martyr. (Ignoring the
question of 'The Innocents' as martyrs, whom we will soon celebrate (on 28
Dec).
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marjorie Greene" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2002 3:32 PM
Subject: Re: [M-R] saints of the day 26. December
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> I've always been curious about the term "protomartyr."
> Why is Stephen not just a martyr (witness to the
> faith)? What exactly is a protomartyr? It seems to
> mean "quasi-martyr" or "almost-martyr." When was the
> term "martyr" first used and by whom? Thanks in
> advance.
> MG
> --- Phyllis Jestice <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval
> > religion and culture
> >
> > Today (26. December) is the feast day of:
> >
> > Stephen (d. c. 35) Protomartyr. Stephen's life is
> > recounted in Acts chs.
> > 6-7. He was one of the first seven deacons
> > appointed by the apostles,
> > probably a hellenized Jew. He gave an impassioned
> > public address on the
> > truth of Christianity, whereupon he was stoned for
> > blasphemy by the
> > bystanders. Stephen's purported tomb was discovered
> > at Kafr Gamala in 415,
> > which encouraged the spread of his cult.
> >
> > Dionysius (d. 269) The Greek Dionysius was elected
> > bishop of Rome in 259;
> > he is the first pope not listed as a martyr. D. was
> > notable for bringing
> > order to his church after the persecutions of Decius
> > and Valerian. He
> > condemned Paul of Samosata as a heretic, opposed
> > Sabellianism, and sent
> > large sums of money to Cappadocia after the region
> > was ravaged by Goths.
> >
> > Tathai (5th-6th cent.) The Irish Tathai became a
> > hermit in Wales, where he
> > founded the monastery of Llantathlan. According to
> > legend, he was a great
> > miracle-worker.
> >
> > Paganus of Lecco (blessed) (d. 1274) A Dominican
> > for fifty years, Paganus
> > succeeded Peter Martyr as inquisitor general. Like
> > the more famous Peter,
> > Paganus was murdered by heretics.
> >
> >
> > Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
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